A scab may not look nice, but it is definitely giving you a nice favor — it actually protects an injury to the skin from becoming infected and also shields the area as new skin tissue comes into being.
It is completely normal for a scab to stay around for several days to a few weeks. It all depends on the size and severity of the scrape, wound or cut.
Especially if it’s on an exposed area of your body, the presence of a scab can keep you from feeling confident. You may be tempted to pick it to get rid of it right away, but this is something that you should try to avoid at all costs as it can in fact leave you with much bigger problems!
If right now you are being annoyed by a scab, read on — this article will get you introduced to some of the best home remedies for it. See which of the following could give you superb results:
Refrain From Picking It
No matter what happens, there is one thing that you should always bear in mind: never pick your scab. Instead of winding up scab-free, you may actually end up with a scab for a longer period of time — exposing the very delicate skin tissue underneath could cause the formation of yet another scab.
Apply Aloe Vera Gel
The goal is to eliminate the scab as soon as possible to have your confidence regained. But how can you do that without picking the scab? Regularly massage aloe vera gel on the scab! The best way to do this is before you take a trip to dreamland. Aloe vera gel also helps eliminate itching.
Opt for Honey Instead
Worry not if you cannot obtain aloe vera gel taken straight from an aloe vera leaf. That’s because there is an alternative to it that can help accelerate scab removal, and that’s none other than honey. Keep on applying honey regularly even after the scab has fallen off completely to reduce your risk of having a nasty scar.
Use Cold Compress
It’s not unlikely for that scab of yours to feel itchy, but scratching is a definite no-no as you are risking getting rid of the scab earlier than necessary. In order to be able to fight off the urge to scratch, use a cold compress as needed as it can temporarily get rid of the sensation.
Dilute Apple Cider Vinegar
Especially if the area surrounding the scab is still reddish, you can rest assured that skin underneath it has not yet fully healed. To speed up the healing process, dilute apple cider vinegar with equal parts of water and apply on the scab using a cotton swab. Wait for 15 minutes before rinsing off with water. Do this home remedy twice a day for best results.
Give Baking Soda a Try
There’s another way to encourage the healing process to run at a much faster rate, and that’s with the help of baking soda. All you have to do is add enough distilled water to a little baking soda until you come up with a white-colored paste. Apply on the scab and allow it to dry completely.
Opt for a Little Tea Tree Oil
Are you a massive fan of the therapeutic properties of essential oils? Then it’s very much likely that you have a small bottle of tea tree oil around. You may use it to disinfect a scab to make it heal quicker than usual — just gently dab a little of it to the scab twice a day. If you have sensitive skin, dilute tea tree oil with equal parts of distilled water beforehand.
